I’m considering shooting my next film on a DSLR still camera with video capabilities. By now you’ve heard of the famous weekend video shot by Vincent Laforet, “Reverie,” and how visually stunning it is. Since I saw the video I imagined shooting an indie film on this camera.
When I first brought up the idea (2007) to my (then) producing partner, he remarked that everyone would laugh at us as professionals if they saw us using that camera. Now, it seems, 1 out of 10 no budget indie films are using the Canon 5D Mark II to shoot shorts and features. I guess I was a little ahead of my time.
The camera is especially strong in low light conditions, a condition that is indicative of 85% of the intended footage for my next film, a horror thriller called Shadowkeeper. The key is using the right lenses. So, when I heard on Twitter that the folks at BH Photo Video had written an article about DSLR cameras, lenses and the indie filmmaker I was happy to add a link to it here.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/Zeiss-Optics.jsp






Not Spam – DSLR Video Boot Camp – Lee Stranahan
We wanted to let you know about the upcoming, full day comprehensive seminar – The DSLR Video Boot Camp, being held July 3rd in Los Angeles taught by working pros like Bruce D. Johnson and Matt Notaro.
Early registration price is $250
Here’s the website address – http://dslrvideobootcamp.com/
This course is much more than “lecture and demo” – it’s a hand’s on workshop where you’ll see the shots created before your eyes. Over the course of the day, we will set up, light, shoot, transfer, adjust, color correct and edit DSLR footage…all realistic production situations and real world budgets. We will be covering interiors, exteriors, follow focus, tabletop and beauty shots with actors – the full gamut of what’s possible with DSLR technology today for indie film, corporate, commercial and TV work,
Bruce Johnson
Bruce has a deep background in digital imaging, with credits in both TV and feature films as both a Director of Photography and digital visual effects supervisor. He was the D.P. on shows like Everwood and Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle.
Matt Notaro
Matt Notaro presently resides in San Francisco, and will be covering the post production side of the ever changing DSLR workflow. In addition to teaching classes at the San Francisco Film Society, Matt has edited and developed rich media for agencies including McCann-Erickson, Venables Bell & Partners and Ogilvy One. His clients include Sony, HP, Target, T-Mobile, Intel and Visa. Matt edits for Kontent Films in San Francisco, and is the original hyphenate/slash with a range of skills that span editing, graphic design, music composition and motion graphics.
Lee Stranahan
Lee has been working in broadcast TV and film for 30 years. Lee was recently featured in Variety and has worked as a visual effects supervisor and artist for projects for HBO and Fox. He worked for five years as a motion graphics artist at NBC. Lee has taught visual effects and filmmaking to thousands of people around the world.